Beauty

Wouldn’t it be just perfect if we could buy one anti ageing cream cum skin whitening cream instead of having to buy two separate jars? It can be annoying having to use two products when one would do. So I researched a bit and tried out this homemade anti ageing cum skin whitening cream that works wonders with my dry skin…

Get adequate sleep

When you are sleeping, the skin cells have time to repair damage and regenerate. The longer you keep awake, the more you are denying the skin from producing new cells and preventing abnormalities like acne. Also, hot and stuffy rooms are a no-no. Cooler rooms induce deeper sleep patterns. So if you are not doing this right, now is the time to change your habits.

Wash face twice daily

Wash your face thoroughly at least twice a day preferably with a citrus-based face wash. This will not only remove grime but will also get rid of the oiliness of the skin. Oily skin aggravates the condition of acne and pimples.

Eat more fruits & salads

With our busy schedules we usually prefer quick-fix meals, especially during the day. A small filling meal is what we usually go for like a meat sandwich or burger. In this way we compromise on health and skin-health. Why not eat a meat + vegetable salad for lunch instead? And don’t overdo the dressing! Substitute your mid-morning coffee with a fruit.

Sweat out toxins

Go out and get more exercise. It would be ideal if you could join a yoga class or a gym. But if you don’t have time to spare, walk to the supermarket at least once a week. Half an hour’s walking in a week is definitely not adequate but it is better than no exercise. There may not be medical documentation directly linking the accumulation of toxins with acne but removing toxins will definitely cleanse the blood.

One of the most enjoyable ways to sweat out toxins is to learn dancing. Search for a Zumba or belly dancing class in your locality and have fun while you cleanse your system.

If you are using public transport to get home from work, don’t alight from the vehicle at the stop nearest to your home. Instead get down at some point which is about half an hour’s walking distance from your home and then walk the remaining distance. This will get rid of the toxins through perspiration and cleanse the system.

Avoid aerated drinks and liquor

An occasional drink, maybe at weekends is fine. But daily consumption of alcohol and/or aerated drinks will not hydrate the skin like water can. Instead, increase the quantity of water you drink during the day to keep your skin soft and healthy.

Wipe your gizmos often

Every evening, moisten a ball of cotton with a few drops of hand sanitizer and clean your mobile phone once a day. This will get rid of the germs that are collected on the phone during the day.

Keep your scalp clean

Wash your hair at least twice a week to keep it clean. If your hair is not washed regularly, the germs on the hair will get transferred onto the face when some strands come into contact.

Avoid using leave-on conditioners because they are usually sticky. When sticky tresses touch your face you are unnecessarily taking the risk of getting a fresh breakout.

Eat foods rich in Omega-3

We have all heard the numerous benefits of omega-3 fatty acids. Eating foods like oily fish (salmon, tuna), flaxseeds, walnuts, almonds and pumpkin seeds will keep the skin healthy and glowing without the help of creams.

Exfoliate weekly

At least once a week you must exfoliate the face and neck to remove stubborn grime and dead skin cells. Dust and grime stick more easily on oily skin and if you don’t exfoliate for a long period of time, the grime will clog the pores and increase the chances of a breakout.

You value yourself and owe it to yourself to implement these 9 lifestyle changes for acne free complexion. So make a determined effort and prevent those distressing breakouts. If you already have pimples these changes will cure them too.

Most face packs are focused on preventing or curing acne but what about extremely dry skin? When dry skin is ignored the face gets wrinkles at an early age. Some of us have extremely dry skin due to thyroid imbalance, which is a common problem in women of 40plus. Ensure that your skin remains soft and glowing with this most effective age defying treatment:-

You will need

2 tbsp Chickpea flour (besan)

1 tbsp Thick cream

1 tsp Rose water

1 tsp Turmeric powder

1 tsp Honey

To prepare the face pack

In a bowl mix all the ingredients into a thickish paste. It should be neither too runny nor too dry. Add a few drops more of rose water to make it spreadable.

Change into old clothes to avoid turmeric stains.

Apply the paste gently with a brush all over the face and neck.

Leave it on till it completely dry, for about 20 minutes.

Rinse it off with water.

For best results do not use makeup for at least 4 hours after the treatment.

Repeat this application every 15 days and after a couple of months you won’t need to use foundation anymore. Stay beautiful…

Like this:

A flawless complexion is something we all aspire for. We try out many different brands and products till we finally find a moisturiser that really works for our skin. But till we do so, we have experienced some terrible skin disasters! Here’s a DIY beauty cream for spotless complexion that has only natural ingredients and is suitable for all skin types – dry, combination and oily…

Ingredients for DIY beauty cream:

1/4 tsp turmeric powder (if available)

1/2 cup almonds (soaked overnight and peeled)

1 tsp honey

1/2 cup thick yogurt *

1 tsp lemon juice **

1 tbsp sandalwood powder

How to prepare the cream:

Grind the soaked and peeled almonds with a little water into a very smooth paste.

Herbal treatments for flawless skin and glorious hair have been around since the last 5000 years. Ayurvedic treatments correct the imbalances in the system which are causing beauty and health issues, including hair loss. This ancient science is based on holistic medicine for hair loss.

Usual causes of hair loss

There can be numerous reasons why we suffer from excessive hair loss or sometimes premature balding. These conditions are distressing because they affect our looks and cause low self esteem and even depression. The various causes of premature balding are:

Thyroid imbalance

Excessive dryness of the scalp (neglect)

Chronic dandruff

Pregnancy

Hormonal changes

Irregular eating habits

Excessive consumption of processed and fried foods

Too much alcohol and meat, etc.

Effective herbal remedies for hair loss

Ayurveda treats the core issues, thus curing/preventing hair loss and balding. There are many herbal treatments that work well, but these are some of the most effective ones:

Bhringraj

The word Bhringaraj literally means “ruler of the hair”. It not only stalls balding, but it also promotes regrowth of hair. It is available in the form of oil or as a powder in most herbal retail shops. The oil should be applied on the scalp directly at the roots and left for one hour before washing off. If you get the powder, mix 1 tsp in some yogurt and apply on the scalp. Leave it for an hour and wash off with lukewarm water. The hair will become stronger and develop a natural sheen with regular use.

Indian Gooseberry

Also called amla, the Indian Gooseberry is one of the richest sources of vitamin C. It treats indigestion and keeps the metabolism in perfect order. This in turn prevents dryness of the scalp and hair loss. It is most effective if taken orally. I have given a very easy recipe for honey and gooseberry preserve. It increases your immunity and improves your overall health. You can have just a teaspoonful daily for healthy and lustrous hair. For external use you can buy amla powder, mix a teaspoon with yogurt and apply just like Bhringraj.

Ashwagandha

Known also as ginseng or winter cherry, Ashwagandha is a powerful antioxidant. It improves the circulation of blood in the scalp and keeps the hair follicles healthy. Like Bhringraj, Ashwagandha too is a common ingredient in commercial Ayurvedic hair treatments. It is also available in the form of a fine powder. Mix a teaspoon of the powder with water or yogurt and apply on the scalp. Wash it off after half an hour. Regular use of the powder will definitely stop hair loss and prevent premature balding.

Neem

Since ancient times neem has been used for treating skin and hair problems. Due to its antibacterial properties, it is commonly used in toilet soaps, face creams, face washes, shampoos, and many other beauty products. With regular usage, the scalp will be free of dandruff, skin afflictions, dryness, and other issues that cause excessive hair loss. Neem also gives relief from itchy scalp and inflammations. If you can’t get neem hair-oil, you can buy the neem leaf powder. Mix a teaspoon of the powder in yogurt or lemon juice and apply on the scalp. Leave it on for 30 minutes and wash it thoroughly with warm water.

Brahmi

This is another herbal remedy that prevents dandruff and keeps the hair follicles healthy. An oil with brahmi will nourish the scalp and strengthen the hair. It promotes growth and keeps the hair naturally shiny and thick. This too is another popular ingredient of herbal hair products. Use the powder just like the others with yogurt.

There are many more herbal remedies for hair loss but these are some of the most effective ones. They are also the most common ingredients of Ayurvedic hair care products that are commercially available. If you are buying herbal oil and shampoo, then look for products that contain most of these ingredients. Also, try and purchase both the items of the same brand because they are usually manufactured to complement each other’s efficacy.

Note 1: If only oral capsules of these herbal remedies are available, please consult your physician before having them.

Note 2: Please do not use yogurt having synthetic flavors to mix the powder. Natural fruit yogurts are fine. Plain unflavored yogurt is the best.

The easiest way to have an enviably glowing skin is by adding these ideal foods for flawless complexion in your daily diet. A little neglect in skin care and I might end up with a dry and rough face or worse – acne! Then I’ll go into overdrive and take some corrective action. But recently, I haven’t needed such drastic measures because of these foods…

FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

Why not keep one meal just for salads? I had a habit (bad!!) of having 4 cups of tea per day, one of which was at 11 AM. As soon as I switched to having a plate of assorted fruits or a bowl of salad with 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice I haven’t needed any makeup. Daily application of a moisturizer is more than sufficient. You can innovate by mixing bean sprouts with your favorite veggie or fruit. Add a dash of honey for vitamin B. The salad will provide fiber and the face will develop a natural glow.

GREEN LEAF TEA

We all know that it is the best source of antioxidants. Out of my 4 cups of tea per day, I have already replaced my mid-morning cup with salad. Changing the first cuppa of the day takes more will power so I left it for the second month. My first attempt was with a teabag and it turned out bitter. I had to throw it and was a complete waste!! Next attempt – just 1/2 tsp of fresh green tea leaves brewed for 5 minutes. It was perfect and I was willing to switch. That’s 2 bad, bad cups of tea converted into healthier options.

FISH AND EGGS

Dead skin needs to be replenished. Your intake of protein-rich diet will help in the formation of new cells. From both health and beauty points of view, salmon and tuna fish are ideal as they contain Omega 3, Omega 6 and Omega 9 fatty acids. Chicken too is rich in protein and is healthy but fish is best from the beauty angle. Also, an egg a day will prevent arthritis.

DAIRY PRODUCTS

If you can digest milk, then drinking 2 glasses of milk per day will make your skin baby soft. Some of us are allergic to the lactose present in milk. Have two big bowlfuls of yogurt instead. I usually have yogurt or a glass of buttermilk after lunch. The hair will develop a natural silky sheen. Another option is to make a fruit smoothie for evening snack, maybe around 5-6 PM. That’s how I replaced my 3rd cup of tea.

SEEDS AND NUTS

I usually add flax seeds and pumpkin seeds in my 11 AM salad so that takes care of two items. Add 2 almonds and 1 walnut to your breakfast menu. These seeds and nuts are foods rich in selenium and zinc which prevent acne and blemishes. Also, walnuts keep arthritis at bay.

WATER

As per the Mayo Clinic recommendations the ideal intake of water per day is 1.9 to 2 liters. With busy schedules sometimes it is not possible to maintain this rhythm. So I added watery fruits and vegetables in my diet (given below) and it made a huge difference in the complexion:

Eat whatever is in season at that time so that you get fresh stock at the most affordable rates.

DARK CHOCOLATE

If you want a real power-packed antioxidant, dark chocolate is what you need. Go in for the organic 100% cacao dark chocolate variety if you want quick results of a smooth and glowing complexion. It can be slightly bitter in taste but you must try at least 70% pure cacao chocolate for good results. Chocolate, wow! Predictably, this was the easiest to add in my diet! I love chocolate and if it is good for the complexion, lead me on…

SOYBEAN PRODUCTS

Most of us already know the many health benefits of soybean, but adding it specifically in my diet was not easy because I didn’t like the odd flavor of the granules/chunks available in the market. Nor did I like soy milk! So I improvised:

Soaked the chunks or granules in some warm milk for 1/2 an hour,

Squeezed out the milk and mixed the chunks/granules in my usual vegetable or fish curry.

Note 1: Soy products are not recommended for those suffering from thyroid imbalance.

Note 2: You can also soak the chunks/granules in warm water instead of milk.

OATMEAL

Although I have listed it last of all, let us not forget the health and beauty benefits of oatmeal. By providing the essential fiber, it helps to digest food properly. This in turn ensures that the nutrients are absorbed by the system giving the skin a healthy glow.

There are many more ideal foods for flawless complexion but these are quite sufficient to start with. Let me know if you have other interesting ideas in the comments below. I’d like to try out some new recipes. Stay healthy, stay beautiful…

I wish I looked so beautiful! We say this to ourselves so often. Many times we are our own worst enemies! Ignoring skin care is a self-inflicted punishment. Just applying a lot of anti-ageing cream is not enough. These are 9 deadly skin care crimes we usually commit:

Emotional stress

Stress is the main trigger for hormones that cause wrinkles! Skin afflictions like eczema and acne are directly related to stress. Indirectly, stress also leads to other horrible habits like smoking, excessive drinking, over-eating, etc that result in early ageing.

Forgetting sunscreen lotions

UV rays are healthy in limited doses as they help to produce vitamin D essential for the bones. But too much exposure to the sun’s rays messes up the skin proteins and can sometimes cause skin cancer. So don on plenty of SPF 30+ or higher potency cream when you want to stay out in the sun for a long time.

Compromising on product quality

Going for a low priced product is not a bad thing in itself. But check the ingredients for two reasons:

The cream may contain an ingredient – to which you are allergic,

The product may not contain anti-oxidants – which you need.

Insufficient water intake

Insufficient water intake leads to flaky, itchy, scaly and our enemy – wrinkles! It may not always be possible to drink the recommended 2-3 litres of water per day. To compensate, we can add watery vegetables and fruits that also have anti-oxidants.

Smoking and drinking

Cigarette smoke damages the collagen (protein) of the skin and destroys its elasticity. And what are we left with – dryness of skin leading to premature ageing, wrinkles despite anti-wrinkle creams, blemishes, and some more irreversible ugly signs! Smoking also causes horrible diseases like cancer of the lungs, throat, mouth, etc. So if you are smoking you already know that you have to stop.

Drink a glass of wine daily. It is good because it has anti-oxidants. Alcohol in small amounts is fine but excessive drinking dilates the blood vessels under the skin leading to early ageing.

Forgetting anti wrinkle cream at bedtime

This is another deadly skin crime! At 40plus we really need to use a good quality anti-wrinkle cream. Throughout the day air pollution and the sun’s radiation play havoc with your skin. At night, our skin cells focus entirely on repairing the damage caused during the day. Anti-wrinkle cream is your bestie and will keep your skin soft as a baby’s.

Excessive exfoliation

When we don’t have time for a complete facial, we sometimes use a face scrub. It makes our face look tighter, smoother and glowing. But let’s not go overboard with the scrubbing. Use a scrub just once a week and apply it gently with fingertips in a circular motion, the keyword being “gentle”.

Not checking expiry date

Whether you are using creams for acne, wrinkles, blemishes, or to stay beautiful; the cardinal rule is to check the expiry date before buying the cream. The chemical composition of the product changes over time and this can really harm the skin.

Switching products too often

Once you have bought a cream, it may take a few days or weeks for the condition to improve. A pimple will take time to dry and heal. Skin takes time to smooth-out. Losing patience and switching the product for another one may actually cause harm than good, because each cream has a different chemical composition.

Nine points to remember! It may seem like a lot of things you have to avoid in order to look beautiful. In reality, these nine points are very easy to follow. And ladies, you owe it to yourselves. Stay beautiful…

While travelling, many times after reaching a tourist destination I have realised that I had forgotten to pack something. It is not necessary to compromise on your looks when you are travelling. You can look as well groomed as you usually do even during a vacation. I have kept a separate kit of travel beauty essentials so that I won’t forget anything. Here’s what I always carry:

1. SUNSCREEN LOTION CUM MOISTURISER

This comes at the top of the list, whether you are vacationing in a tropical country or otherwise. In warm climes the sun is hot and bright even in the winters. Why wait for tanning and freckles to occur before you take corrective action? It is best to prevent any problems, apply sunscreen lotion thrice a day and maintain your marvelous looks.

2. DRY SHAMPOO

A dry shampoo is the most practical thing to carry while travelling. Liquids may spill and ruin your clothes. A dry shampoo is in the form of a powder. To use, gently rub the shampoo on your scalp. It will absorb all the oiliness from your hair and leave it looking freshly shampooed.

3. CLEANSING LOTION

Never fail to take your cleansing cream along. After a long day of sightseeing you must cleanse your face, neck and arms too. Just washing will not remove all the grime that’s stuck in the pores.

3. EPILATOR

If you are are on a short trip an epilator or razor is not really necessary. But you might need one if it extends beyond a week. Hairy arms and legs look terribly sloppy!

4. DEODORANT

if you smell good, you feel good. You will naturally go around seeing the popular tourist attractions of the holiday destination. If you are in a hurry and there’s no time to shower, a deodorant will come in very handy.

5. COTTON BALLS

You are going to need these for cleansing as well as for removing makeup. Always keep some handy in case you need to do some damage control of the makeup you have applied.

6. LIP BALM

The lip balm will effectively prevent cracked lips due to dryness. While travelling we don’t pay much attention to touching up our lipstick. Apply lip balm at bedtime and your lips will remain soft and luscious. If you are visiting dry or tropical countries a lip balm is a must.

7. NAIL FILE, NEUTRAL NAIL COLOUR AND REMOVER

Good grooming also includes a good manicure and pedicure. I have already mentioned in my earlier post how well-maintained nails are a very important part of grooming. But what happens if you break a nail or the colour chips. Carrying this trio will come in handy. At the end of the day while you are lazing in your room, quickly file the nails, remove colour and apply a fresh coat. This whole process should not take more than 10 minutes.

These are a few of my favourite beauty essentials while travelling. If you can add some more I’ll be glad to update my kit. Please feel free to share your ideas in the comments below…

The last time I had met my friend Rebekah, she had blemishes on her face, acne scars and the skin texture was rough. This was at her 40th birthday party! I met her again on her 41st birthday and guess what?! Her skin is as smooth as a baby’s and she looks fabulous. So I had to ask, “What’s the magic mantra, a new beauty parlour?” And her reply was, “Just almond oil.” So let’s check out why and how a woman of 40plus can become a timeless beauty with just almond oil.

BABY SMOOTH SKIN: Massaging your face with almond oil will moisturise and smooth out the skin texture. Apply the oil and leave it overnight for best results.

NATURAL CLEANSER: Removing makeup can be a headache after a late night out. Apply a little almond oil on the face and around the eyes. Leave it for a couple of minutes. Wipe it off gently with a cotton ball and even your waterproof makeup will come off easily.

DARK CIRCLES GONE: Do you always have to use foundation to mask the dark circles around the eyes? Tomorrow start applying almond oil around the eyes at bedtime. Leave it overnight and in a few weeks you will need very little corrective makeup.

REMOVES BLEMISHES: If patchy skin and blemishes have plagued you for some years, here’s almond oil to the rescue! The nutrients in the oil will remove tanning, scars and blemishes to leave behind an enviably radiant face. It removes sun tan too.

NATURAL SCRUB: Why rush to the salon and spend on a pricey scrub? Just mix a tsp of granulated sugar in a tsp of almond oil. Rub it gently on your face in a circular motion till it feels dry. Rinse it off with cool water. This will give your face a fresh glow.

SKIN TREATMENT: As it is used to treat nappy rash, almond oil is definitely good for adults as well. Hormonal changes sometimes cause skin problems like rashes, psoriasis, eczema, etc. The root cause of most of these ailments is extreme dryness of the skin, so application of the oil will keep the symptoms under control and speed up recovery.

ANTI AGEING: Loss of collagen (a protein) is the main cause of ageing. The vitamin E in the oil balances the collagen level and helps to maintain a forever-youthful skin.

ACNE PREVENTION: Whose skin in prone to acne will love almond oil. When you apply the oil on a regular basis, old acne scars will be gone and new disgusting eruptions will not occur! You are free of this problem forever.

BODY BEAUTIFUL: Almond oil is a very commonly used product by massage therapists as a beauty treatment. This protein-packed oil rejuvenates the body and gets rid of soreness, fatigue, muscle ache, arthritic pain, and many other 40plus related issues.

CROWING GLORY: Forget about thinning hair, over-fine eyebrows, almost non-existent eyelashes, or any such worries. Oil extracted from almonds is a real saviour. It protects you from the ravages of pollution, ageing, nutritional issues, stress, etc. Make it a bi-weekly practice to apply some lukewarm oil on the scalp, eyebrows and eyelashes half an hour before bathing. That’s it! And you will never need to worry about dandruff. If you leave the oil overnight and wash the next morning, that’ll produce effects sooner.

The ancient Vedic scripts extol the virtues of almonds and almond oil as natural beauty products. Almonds have antioxidant properties as they contain Omega-3, Omega-6 and Omega-9 fatty acids. They are also a great source of zinc and vitamins A, B, D and E which are very good for the skin and overall health. You too can be a timeless beauty with almond oil, so go ahead and try it. Enjoy life…

I am standing near the window, enjoying my mug of lemon ginger honey tea, gazing at the small patch of greenery, quite rare in metros! The office music system is softly playing an old English song with its clichéd refrains of ‘Honey, honey’.

As I gaze at the trees outside, I observe a honey bee sizing up the window ledge for a prospective hive. Suddenly it clicks! Honey-that wonder of nature!

And I sit down to pen some of the ‘ ancient beauty secrets of honey’ revealed to us by our mums and grandmothers. A healthy mind in a healthy body.But equally- an enchanting appearance in a healthy body! And honey is truly one of the wonders of nature that does this.

How honey benefits the ‘exterior’

Raw honey is chemical free and natural. It is a great friend of our skin in so many ways.

It prevents bacterial skin infections, including that bane of most women – acne;

It fast-tracks healing, including sunburn.

It has substantial skin-saving antioxidants, which deter aging, putting a halt to the ravages of time on our appearance.

Its silky, viscous texture that captures the moisture into the skin makes your skin as soft as a baby’s.

It is an excellent skin cleanser and exfoliates the skin. Who doesn’t want a soft, glowing complexion?!

It fades scars and can be used to lighten hair.

The humectant properties of honey help to moisturize hair. Besides, it is said to strengthen hair follicles. Result: A healthy head of hair.

It is a wonderful moisturizer that can even be used for cuticles, hair or…even the entire body.

Here’s a tried and tested fragrant, natural and ‘instant’ moisturizer, to use just before that special date:

Rose Water and Honey: Mix a teaspoonful of rose water with a teaspoonful of raw honey. Add a drop of jojoba oil or lavender oil. Mix it thoroughly. Dab it all over your face and lightly rub for about 15 minutes. Rinse it off with water. The glow will be visible even after the make-up!

Now let us turn to the ‘Interior’

Honey is nature’s energy booster that gives instant energy. Of course, we all love to see that ‘livewire’ bursting with life and energy!

It is an immunity builder. Its antioxidant and anti-bacterial properties help improve the digestive system and helps in keeping healthy and fighting disease. And we do know the correlation between a healthy tummy and a healthy skin.

It is known to boost brain function, including cognition. And thus, enhancing one’s personality!

Well then, let’s see this traditional recipe, useful for skin, throat, etc.:

Turmeric Latte: Add 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder to 3/4 cup milk. Boil. Allow to settle for a minute and strain. Add a teaspoonful raw honey. Sip while hot. (Licorice powder or root can be added while boiling to give a sweet, heady aroma!)

The alchemy by which flower nectar is made into honey by the ‘busy’ bee is truly amazing. No wonder then that ‘the beauty secrets of honey’- that sweet elixir, has excited the palates of humans since ancient times.